Method for mounting the slats of a venetian blind in the slat support cords and means for carrying out the method

ABSTRACT

A method of mounting the slats of a venetian blind in the slat support cords of the blind, the slats being provided with holes through which the hoist lines of the blind are passed in a manner such that the lines are located on alternate sides of consecutive cross members of the slat support cords. The ladder cords are given a permanent tendency to fall into a concertina like configuration when no tension load is applied thereto so that subsequent to placing the slats in position and bringing the slats together to form a pack the cross members fall on alternate sides of the hoist line holes. Thus, when threading the hoist lines through their respective holes, the lines automatically pass on alternate sides of successive cross members.

United States Patent 1 Persson 1 Jan. 16, 1973 [54] METHOD FOR MOUNTING THE SLATS OF A VENETIAN BLIND IN THE SLAT SUPPORT CORDS AND MEANS FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD [75] Inventor: Per Lage Persson, Mulls j o, s'tv'ah [73] Assignee: A B Perma System, Mullsjo,

Sweden 22] Filedz May 17, 1971 211 App]. No.: 144,204

[52] US. Cl ..29/24.5 [51] Int. Cl B231! 19/04, 829d 31/00 [58] Field of Search ..29/24.5; 161/46 [56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,292,232 I 2/1966 Nilsson ..29/24.5

Primary ExaminerFrank T. Yost Attorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [5 7] ABSTRACT A method of mounting the slats of a venetian blind in the slat support cords of the blind, the slats being provided with holes through which the hoist lines of the blind are passed in a manner such that the lines are located on alternate sides of consecutive cross members of the slat support cords. The ladder cords are given a permanent tendency to fall into a concertina like configuration when no tension load is applied thereto so that subsequent to placing the slats in position and bringing the slats together to form a pack the cross members fall on alternate sides of the hoist line holes. Thus, when threading the hoist lines through their respective holes, the lines automatically pass on alternate sides of successive cross members.

. 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures METHOD FOR MOUNTING THE SLATS OF A VENETIAN BLIND IN THE SLAT SUPPORT CORDS AND MEANS FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD The present invention relates to a method for mounting the slats of a venetian blind in the slat support cords, which support cords are in the form of a rope ladder and are hereinafter referred to as the slat support ladder cords, and which slats are of the type provided with holes through which the hoisting and lower- 1 ing cords of the blind are threaded in a manner whereby the cords are located on either side of adjacent slat supporting cross members of the slat support ladder cord.

For the purpose of mounting of the slats of a venetian blind in the ladder cords, it has previously been proposed to suspend vertically a number of ladder cords in parallel spaced relationship with respect to each other, whereby the distance between the ladder cords should be equal to the distance or distances between the hoisting line holes of each slat, and to insert the slats from the sides of the slat support ladder cord, i.e., between the long bearing lines of the ladder cord, to starting positions, the slats beinginserted between the cross members of the ladder cord such that the hoisting line holes in the slats are located in the vicinity of the cross members.

In order to block longitudinal movement of the slats in relation to the ladder cords, it has previously been normal practice to pass the hoisting lines on alternate sides of adjacent cross members through all the opposing hoist line holes in the slats.

When applying prior methods for mounting the slats of venetian blinds in the ladder cords, it is necessary to use special, relatively complicated apparatus for alternately displacing the ladder cords to one side or the other prior to threading the hoisting lines through the ladder cords and the hoist line holes in the slats, so that the cross members are placed on either one side or the other of their respective hoist line holes in the slats. This was previously effected by displacing one slat at a time while successively bringing the slats together into a pack, whereafter the hoist lines were passed through the mutually opposing hoist line holes in the compact bundle of slats.

This procedure, however, is relatively time consum ing and inconvenient and, moreover, requires special devices for displacing the slats singly.

The object of the present invention is therefore to simplify the assembly of the venetian blind slats without it being necessary to use special devices for moving the cross members of the ladder cords alternately to one side or the other of respective hoist line holes in the slats.

In accordance herewith the invention is mainly characterized by using ladder cords which possess an inherent tendency to fold in substantially concertina fashion when in a relaxed condition, introducing the slats into the spaces between the cross members of the ladder cords and bringing the slats together while allowing thecross members to move freely to alternate sides of the hoist line holes, threading the hoist lines through the hoist line holes between the cross members of the ladder cords and securing the hoist lines.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an embodiment thereof diagrammatically illustrated in the accompanying drawing, further features of the invention being disclosed in connection therewith.

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective an upper corner of a venetian blind in the process of being assembled, with one of the associated ladder cords hanging vertically downwards, and further illustrates a number of slats resting on the cross members of the ladder cord, each 0 slat being provided with hoist line holes, one of which is shown.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the corner of the venetian blind illustrated in FIG. 1, although in this instance the ladder cord is shown to be folded in a zig-zag fashion and right of the hoist line.

FIG. 3 illustrates in perspective: a device for carrying out the method of the invention, the device consisting of a pre-fabricated ladder cord whose longitudinally extending bearing lines are either permanently zig-zag shaped, self-foldin g or self-bendin g.

The drawings showa portion of a venetian blind rail 10 which is intended to support the whole of the venetian blind and which when installing the blind, either to single or double glazed windows for example, is screwed to the window frame in a conventional manner. FIG. 1 illustrates one step in the method of mounting the slats in the assembly of a complete venetian blind pack ready for delivery. In the exemplary embodiment, the support rail 10 forms an attachment for the ladder cords, of which only one, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 1, is shown. The ladder cord is constructed of two parallel bearing lines 12 and 13 which are joined together at evenly spaced intervals by cross members or rungs 14 which are intended to support slats l5 resting thereon and to maintain the slats in relatively uniform spaced relationship with respect to each other. All slats are provided with hoist line holes 16 which in the assembled position of the slats are located in the close vicinity of each cross member.

When placing the slats in the ladder cords and passing the hoist lines through the hoist line holes, the desired number of ladder cords are placed at a distance apart corresponding to the mutual distances between the hoist line holes of respective slats. The ladder cords are placed parallel to each other in 'a vertical or horizontal direction or in a direction inclined to the horizontal. The ladder cords, which according to the invention are self-folding or self-bending, are then normally extended to widen the openings between the cross members, whereafter the slats are inserted into the openings from the side, as aforementioned, and positioned in a manner whereby each slat rests on a cross member in each ladder cord with the hoist line holes located above respectivecross members.

Subsequent to inserting all slats 15 in this way so that the slats. rest on the ladder cords, the slats 15 are brought together, either simultaneously or one at a time, whereupon the ladder cords 11 automatically bend in concertina fashion, as illustrated in FIG. 2, so that adjacent cross members are automatically brought to opposite sides of the hoist line holes 16. In this position, it is possible to pass a hoisting line 17 through the support rail and through the holes 16 in all slats 15, in accordance to what is shown in FIG. 2.

The self-folding laddercord used to carry out the method of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 in a relaxed condition as opposed to the stretched condition illustrated in FIG. 1, from which can be seen the way in which the inherent self-folding property of the ladder cord provides a positive and reliable outward movement of the cross members without requiring the provision of separate auxiliary means. It will also be evident that when applying the method of the present invention, the previous difficult procedure of displacing one slat at a time and then bringing the slats successively together to form a pack can be avoided. Thus, in accordance with the invention it is possible by using a self-folding slat support ladder cord to arrange all the slats in position and then in practically one step bring all the slats together to form a pack with which the hoist lines can be passed easily through the holes 16.

In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the slats have been mounted with the ladder cords depending vertically. In accordance with the invention, however, the slat support ladder cords can be placed parallel to one another in another direction, such as a horizontal direction. It may on occasionalso be desirable to place the ladder cords in a manner whereby they are unable to deviate from a straight line.

When carrying out the method of the invention, it is possible in accordance therewith to use pre-made ladder cords which are coiled in indefinite lengths on reels from which desired lengths corresponding to the dimensions of the venetian blind in question or sections thereof can be cut, either before or after mounting the slats in position, whereafter new lengths can be unrolled from the reel for the next venetian blind etc.

In accordance with the invention, the bearing lines of the ladder cords may be woven in a manner whereby they obtain an inherent bending tendency, while according to another aspect of the invention the bearing lines may be subsequently treated, e.g., with steam, heat, pressure etc., in a manner whereby they obtain said bending tendency.

According to further aspect of the invention the bearing lines may be treated with substance which give permanent folds to the lines, for example such substances as varnish, resins, starch etc.

One advantageous property is that the bearing lines are pliable at the center of the fold.

crimped filament may be woven into the bearing lines to cause the lines to bend out in the desired concertina manner.

The invention thus includes a device for carrying out the method of the invention, the device being in the form of a slat supporting ladder cord which in a manner suitable for each purpose has or is given self-folding or self-bending properties with the center of the folds being located at the axes passing through opposing contact points of the cross members on respective ladder cords.

The invention is not restricted to the described and illustrated embodiments, but can be modified within the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

1. A method for mounting the slats of a venetian blind in the slat support cords, which slats are of the type provided with holes through which the hoisting and lowering cords of the blind are threaded in a manner whereby the cords are located on alternate sides of successive slat supporting cross members of the slat support ladder cord, characterized by using ladder cords which possess an inherent tendency to fold in substantially concertina fashion when in a relaxed condition, introducing the slats into the spaces between the cross members of the ladder cords and bringing the slats together while allowing the cross members to move freely to alternate sides of the hoist line holes,

threading the hoist lines throughthe hoist line holes first inserting all slats in the slat support ladder cords and then bringing the slats together.

4. A method according to claim 1, characterized by bringing the slats together successively as each slat is inserted in the ladder cords.

5. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the slats are prevented from moving in their longitudinal direction.

6. A method according to claim 1, characterized by orienting the slat support ladder cords in a manner whereby the cross members are spaced substantially equidistant from the center of the hoist line holes.

7. A method according to claim 1, characterized by using pre-made slat support ladder cords which are rolled onto reels of unlimited size and by intermittently unrolling from said reels lengths corresponding to the venetian blind being assembled, and by cutting the slat support ladder'cords from said rolled length and unrolling new lengths for the next venetian blind to be assembled. 

1. A method for mounting the slats of a venetian blind in the slat support cords, which slats are of the type provided with holes through which the hoisting and lowering cords of the blind are threaded in a manner whereby the cords are located on alternate sides of successive slat supporting cross members of the slat support ladder cord, characterized by using ladder cords which possess an inherent tendency to fold in substantially concertina fashion when in a relaxed condition, introducing the slats into the spaces between the cross members of the ladder cords and bringing the slats together while allowing the cross members to move freely to alternate sides of the hoist line holes, threading the hoist lines through the hoist line holes between the cross members of the lAdder cords, and securing the hoist lines.
 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized by using slat support ladder cords with the centers of the folds located substantially on lines passing through the connection points of the cross members with the bearing lines.
 3. A method according to claim 1, characterized by first inserting all slats in the slat support ladder cords and then bringing the slats together.
 4. A method according to claim 1, characterized by bringing the slats together successively as each slat is inserted in the ladder cords.
 5. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the slats are prevented from moving in their longitudinal direction.
 6. A method according to claim 1, characterized by orienting the slat support ladder cords in a manner whereby the cross members are spaced substantially equidistant from the center of the hoist line holes.
 7. A method according to claim 1, characterized by using pre-made slat support ladder cords which are rolled onto reels of unlimited size and by intermittently unrolling from said reels lengths corresponding to the venetian blind being assembled, and by cutting the slat support ladder cords from said rolled length and unrolling new lengths for the next venetian blind to be assembled. 